Glassware transfer and coating apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a coating apparatus, chucking and transfer mechanism includes an endless conveyor. Chuck means are mounted on spaced links of the conveyor. Each chuck comprises separately movable, recessed sections which mate in article receiving position. CHannel means within each section deliver purge fluid to each cavity defined by the mated sections.

Unite States atem r191 Arrandale et a1.

[451 May 20, 1975 GLASSWARE TRANSFER AND COATING APPARATUS [75]Inventors: Roy S. Arrandale, Elmira; James 11.

Cady, Horseheads; Leroy C. Hartman, Elmira, all of NY.

[73] Assignee: Dart Industries Inc., Los Angeles,

Calif.

[22] Filed: July 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 274,705

[52] US. Cl. 118/630; 118/58; 118/70;

118/503; 198/179; 279/1 R [51] Int. Cl B051) 5/02 [58] Field of Search118/630-635,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Meadowcroft 219/161 X1,724,336 8/1929 Ayers 198/179 X 2,794,416 6/1957 Shepherd.. 118/635 X2,889,805 6/1959 Freeder 118/634 X 3,030,744 4/1962 Mueller 51/2253,040,486 6/1962 Balsiger.... 51/236 3,192,891 7/1965 Maehl 118/50 X3,595,109 7/1971 Burroughs et a1. 279/] X 3,682,491 8/1972 Sakazaki eta1 279/1 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 124,559 6/1947 Australia 408/68Primary Examiner-Morris Kaplan [57] ABSTRACT In a coating apparatus,chucking and transfer mechanism includes an endless conveyor. Chuckmeans are mounted on spaced links of the conveyor. Each chuck comprisesseparately movable, recessed sections which mate in article receivingposition. CHannel means within each section deliver purge fluid to eachcavity defined by the mated sections.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED HAYZO I975 SHEET 2 OF 3 PATENTEU 3884 184 SHEET 30F 3 FIGu-"5 FlG.-3

GLASSWARE TRANSFER AND COATING APPARATUS This invention relates toapparatus for coating articles of manufacture and more particularlyconcerns the production of shatter resistant glassware (i.e.,bottleware). In conjunction herewith developments that might morebroadly be characterized as article transfer related are described incombination with conventional electrostatic spraying apparatus.

It should be understood that prior art polymer coatings and techniquesfor the application of same to glass ware have long been known andpracticed by the industry. These coatings have, however, been employed,for the most part, to protect the basic glass construction from surfaceabrasions and the like. Such abrasions or other defects substantiallyreduce the inherent glass strength and therefore obviously subject it toa higher incidence of failure.

The coatings referred to have taken the form of thin protective filmsbonded to the glass surface and in most respects exhibiting tough butbrittle characteristics. These have served well in providing theintended protection and preserving glassware integrity. However, suchcannot and do not render ware shatter resistant or substantially changethe fragmentation characteristics of ware that is broken while underinternal pressure.

In the latter respect, it should also be recognized that certainglassware, particularly glass aerosol containers, have been providedwith polymeric protective sheaths. These are indicated to be resistiveto glass fragmentation under conditions of failure but such have beeninapplicable for use in the vast majority of glassware applications. Forexample, most such coatings are of thicknesses which economicallyprevent their use or adoption in many fields. Likewise, these have notexhibited criteria which would enable their use in bottling applicationswhere severe cleaning and other prcessing techniques dictated by thecontainer product are encountered.

The application here considered has therefore been directed primarily tothose containerization areas employing internal pressurization whereknown aerosol techniques are inapplicable. These are principallyconsidered to be carbonated beverage bottles and the like which, ofcourse, due to their pressurized state, are subject to severefragmentation in certain instances of failure. In reiteration, it shouldbe understood that the film coatings first mentioned above, help inreducing the incidence of failure here discussed but under conditions offailure will not necessarily decrease the severity of fragmentation.

Apparatus for the application of coatings to containers as is heredisclosed, establish that certain adhesive characteristics between theglass and polymer envelope dictate the acceptability and applicabilityfor creation of the shatter resistant container desired. Similarly,other polymer properties such as elasticity, toughness, etc., contributeto the overall effectiveness of the coating in producing the .shatterresistant container. Likewise, processingduring coating contributessignificantly to the creation of a suitably adherent polymer sheathhaving surface texture, continuity and transparency acceptable to thebottling trade.

The invention contemplates use of thermoplastic polymers as the shatterresistant coating and particularly polyethylene polymers and copolymerssuch as those described in co-pending application Ser. No. 232,589 filedMar. 7, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,859,117. Such are particulate materialspreferably having a particle mesh size range of between about 25 and anda low melt index of between about 1 and 3. It should, however, beunderstood that melt index may be varied slightly from that preferreddepending upon material density and in certain instances where multiplecoatings are employed, may be as high as 100.

As indicated, particular apparatus developments have also contributed tothe achievement of a shatter resistant bottle product. A unique waretransfer mechanism is employed to present the ware to the coatingchamber as well as to remove and replace same on typical ware conveyors.Further, and in conjunction with the transfer mechanism employed duringactual particulate polymer coating, new bottle chucking devices areemployed. These are adapted to grip the heated ware, to hold the warefirmly in a steady upright position through all motions of the transfermechanism and to fluid purge the ware interior during the coatingoperation.

Hereinabove and throughout the specification and claims, reference ismade to a thermoplastic shatter resistant coating. It should beunderstood that this terminology is employed in the same sense as wouldphraseology that would infer immunity from substantial fragmentation.More particularly, this is a characteristic exhibited by thethermoplastic coated glassware that has been processed by apparatus morefully described below. It is apparent therefore, that the principalobjec tive of the invention is the production of a shatter resistantbottle suitable for use where internal bottle pressurization isanticipated and which, by design and definition, will substantiallyminimize bottle fragmentation in the event of such a pressurized bottlefailure.

It should also be apparent that other significant advantages offered bycoated bottles of this type include for example, practical eliminationof bottle-to-bottle contact abrasions, considerable reduction in bottleand filling line noise, and enable shipping carton redesigin withoutpartitions. In effect, therefore, bottleware pro duced hereby willincorporate the best properties of glass with those of plastic.

Additional objectives and advantages not enumerated will, however, alsobecome more apparent upon continued reference to the specification,claims and drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view, partially broken away, showing the upper portionof an electrostatic spray cabinet mounting the high-speed conveyor andchucking arrangement of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG.1 and also broken for reasons of space limitations;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a portion of the interconnected links of thehigh-speed conveyor arrangement taken along line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bottle chucking arrangement as mountedon a conveyor link and in a partially open position; and

FIG. 5 is an end view of one of the chuck sections as seen from thecavity side thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, one will better appreciate the endless loop-type ofhigh-speed conveyor 10 assembly that is mounted in the upper cabinetportion 12 of,

preferably, an electrostatic spray booth not completely shown. As isindicated above, however, electrostatic methods of coating are notcritical and this transfer and associated appratus may be employedequally well in other spraying environments. Examples of such includewater or solvent emulstion spray techniques or simple dry powdersystems.

The conveyor is composed of a plurality of interconnected links 14forming an endless loop which is threaded around a system of rollerssome or all of which may function to drive the conveyor itself. As canbe seen, the lower-most flight of the conveyor moves from a position,for our purposes a bottle pick-up area, at the extreme right of the FIG.1 to a second position, in this case a bottle release area at theextreme left of the FIG. 1. And, of course, the upper return conveyorflight simply returns each conveyor portion to the noted first position.

Also, as is apparent from FIG. 1, at selected points along the conveyor10 and attached to the links 14 thereof are chucking arrangements 16. Asis explained hereinafter, in more detail, these chucks are comprised ofseparate independently movable mating sections 18 and 20 (FIG. 2). Thesesections alternately open and close at the second and first positions,respectively, in such fashion as to grasp and retain a bottle prior toand during its passage through the spray booth and thereafter release itfor further processing.

The cabinet 12 is, of course, comprised of a plurality of wallsincluding the two side walls 22 and top end wall 24. The bottom is opento the spray booth to accommodate the passage of the bottlestherethrough. Positioned between the sidewalls 22 is a baffle member 26best seen in FIG. 2 and which extends substantially the full length ofthe conveyor adjacent the lower flight thereof. This baffle memberserves, not only to separate the conveyor flights, but also to mountearns 28, channel member 30 in close association with the underside oflowermost conveyor flight and the upper air manifold assembly 29.Likewise, the cabinet side walls 22 have mounted thereon support bars 32which retain and maintain the conveyor in a substantially horizontalorientation along its upper flight.

Sidewalls 22 also mount a pair of guide members 36 which are adapted toretain chuck sections 18 and 20 in the closed position around a bottle(FIG. 2) as it passes through the electrostatic spray booth. These alsosupport the lower conveyor flight such that the underside of conveyor 14and particularly the hinge projections 34 are in close association withthe channel member 28 and are substantially enclosed thereby. Further,because of the preferred electrostatic means of deposition, such guidesinclude electrically conductive strips or elements 38 which cooperatewith similar conductive circuitry in the chuck sections themselves.

It is appropriate here also to point out that the materials ofconstruction of the cabinet portions, conveyor links, chuck elements andany other component part making up or passing through the coating areaof the spray booth should be non-conductive in nature. Otherwise,polymeric deposition on these various parts would be inevitable due tothe preferred mode of deposition (i.e., electrostatic) and thus would bedetrimental to continuous and effective operation of the apparatus. Inthe event other spray techniques are selected for employment, theserequirements may be altered and modified accordingly.

As indicated, the conveyor links 14 as may be better seen in FIG. 3,include hinge projections 34 that provide for their interconnection bymeans of, for example, pins 40. Such links are also laterally slotted asat 42 to accommodate fastening means 44. The latter extend through theslots 42 and engage independently movable chuck sections 18 and 20,guiding same in their respective lateral movements. The headed portions46 of fasteners 44 also act as cam followers and actively engage the cammembers 28 at both of the mentioned first and second positions wherelateral movement of the sections 18, 20 is required to effect theclosing and opening of the chuck.

The mating chuck sections 18 and 20 include a main body portion 48 and aneck portion 50. A cavity 52 having an opening 54 is formed in thementioned neck portion and is shaped to accommodate the finish oftypical bottleware (B). Thus, when sections 18 and 20 are closed, thebottleware (B) is firmly supported in an upright position and may bemoved in this manner through the mentioned booth and spraying area. Notealso, that the cavity interior includes a conductive copper or similarinsert 56 and the neck 50 is capped with a metal plate 58 both of whichare in contact with the bottle (B). Likewise, the insert is in contactwith the conductive pin mechanism 58 which via strips 38 and springfinds its way to ground outside of the cabinet.

Another principal feature of the chuck arrangement is a fluid purgingsystem that enables the introduction under positive pressure into thebottle interior of a fluid purging medium, preferably air. Theintroduction of same is accomplished by means of a passageway 60extending from the bottom of each chuck section to the cavity 52. Thesepassageways aligned with openings 62 in links 14 when the chuck sectionsare closed and are further supplied via a plurality of passage ways 64extending through the baffle and channel members 26 and 28 from anysuitable air or similar fluid source, not shown. This supply of purgegas, of course, effectively prevents the migration of polymeric coatingonto the bottle finish area or to the interior thereof and thuspreserves the glass integrity in these protected areas.

As is also shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the respective mating chuck sectionsinclude tongue and groove facings to provide for more positive seatingbetween the two halves. It is anticipated that the noted system andarrangement of purging the finish of the ware is desirable and necessaryfor the production of suitably coated bottles regardless of the sprayingtechnique employed.

We claim:

1. A high-speed conveyor and chucking arrangement adapted to releasablyhold and transfer articles from a first to a second location andcomprising:

a movably mounted conveyor flight extending between said first andsecond locations and including a plurality of interconnected links;

a plurality of spaced-apart chuck assemblies positioned along saidconveyor flight for movement therewith,

each said assembly including a pair of mating elements mounted onselected ones of said links;

said mating elements defining therebetween a cavity adapted to receiveand grasp a said article;

each of said elements being mounted for movement relative to saidselected one of the links for article engagement and disengagement;

means to effect said movement; and

means, including channel means within each said chuck assembly, to fluidpurge each said cavity during article transfer.

2. A conveyor and chucking arrangement according to claim 1 wherein saidselected ones of said links include laterally extending slots thereinand said chuck assemblies and mating elements are guided by saidlaterally extending slots and each of said elements further includes aportion of said cavity that responsive to the independent movementalternatively closes upon and around or opens from about said articleextended portions.

3. A conveyor and chucking arrangement according to claim 2 wherein saidslots extend through said selected ones of said links and said elementsare affixed to said links for lateral movement with respect thereto byfastening means which extend through said slots.

4. A conveyor and chucking arrangement according to claim 3 wherein saidfastening means includes a cam follower portion that extendssubstantially beyond said conveyor flight on the side thereof oppositesaid elements.

5. A conveyor and chucking arrangement according to claim 2 wherein saidlinks and mating chuck assembly elements are composed of anon-conductive material and at least one of said elements has providedinternally thereof a conductive circuit extending from said cavity to anexteriorally exposed terminal.

6. A high-speed conveyor assembly adapted to releasably hold andtransfer articles from a first to a second location and comprising:

a cabinet having a portion thereof internally separated by a bafflemember extending between two of the cabinet walls, support meanspositioned therein to retain a conveyorin close proximity to the memberduring its movement between said locations, said conveyor being formedas an endless loop, the flights thereof being on the opposite sides ofsaid baffle and having a plurality of interconnected links;

additional means arranged within said cabinet for engagement with chuckassemblies supported on selected ones of said links;

each said conveyor including a pair of mating elements mounted onselected ones of said links;

said mating elements defining therebetween a cavity adapted to receiveand grasp a said article;

each of said elements being mounted for movement relative to saidselected one of the links for article engagement and disengagement;

means to effect said movement; and

means, including channel means within each said chuck assembly, to fluidpurge each said cavity during article transfer.

7. A conveyor and chucking arrangement according to claim 6 wherein atleast some of said links include laterally extending slots therein andsaid chuck assemblies and mating elements are guided by said laterallyextending slots and each of said elements further includes a portion ofsaid cavity that responsive to the independent movement alternativelycloses upon and around or opens from about said article extendedportions.

8. A conveyor and chucking arrangement according to claim 7 wherein saidslots extend through said selected ones of said links and said elementsare affixed to said links for lateral movement with respect thereto byfastening means which extend through said slots.

9. A conveyor assembly according to claim 8 wherein a plurality of camsare supported from said member in positions proximate said locations,which cams act in concert with said fastening means to respectivelyclose and open said mating elements.

10. A conveyor and chucking arrangement according to claim 7 whereinsaid links and mating chuck assembly elements are composed of anon-conductive material and at least one of said elements has providedinternally thereof a conductive circuit extending from said cavity to anexteriorally exposed terminal.

11. A conveyor assembly according to claim 10 wherein a conductiveelement is included in said additional means to extend said circuitthereto as the chuck assemblies engage same.

12. A conveyor assembly according to claim 6 wherein a channel member isattached to one side of said baffle so as to be in close relationshipwith said means for conducting fluid purging material to said cavitiesand wherein there is further included at least one passageway extendingthrough said baffle and said channel member to likewise conduct fluidthereto.

1. A high-speed conveyor and chucking arrangement adapted to releasablyhold and transfer articles from a first to a second location andcomprising: a movably mounted conveyor flight extending between saidfirst and second locations and including a plurality of interconnectedlinks; a plurality of spaced-apart chuck assemblies positioned alongsaid conveyor flight for movement therewith, each said assemblyincluding a pair of mating elements mounted on selected ones of saidlinks; said mating elements defining therebetween a cavity adapted toreceive and grasp a said article; each of said elements being mountedfor movement relative to said selected one of the links for articleengagement and disengagement; means to effect said movement; and means,including channel means within each said chuck assembly, to fluid purgeeach said cavity during article transfer.
 2. A conveyor and chuckingarrangement according to claim 1 wherein said selected ones of saidlinks include laterally extending slots therein and said chuckassemblies and mating elements are guided by said laterally extendingslots and each of said elements further includes a portion of saidcavity that responsive to the independent movement alternatively closesupon and around or opens from about said article extended portions.
 3. Aconveyor and chucking arrangement according to claim 2 wherein saidslots extend through said selected ones of said links and said elementsare affixed to said links for lateral movement with respect thereto byfastening means which extend through said slots.
 4. A conveyor andchucking arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said fastening meansincludes a cam follower portion that extends substantially beyond saidconveyor flight on the side thereof opposite said elements.
 5. AconveYor and chucking arrangement according to claim 2 wherein saidlinks and mating chuck assembly elements are composed of anon-conductive material and at least one of said elements has providedinternally thereof a conductive circuit extending from said cavity to anexteriorally exposed terminal.
 6. A high-speed conveyor assembly adaptedto releasably hold and transfer articles from a first to a secondlocation and comprising: a cabinet having a portion thereof internallyseparated by a baffle member extending between two of the cabinet walls,support means positioned therein to retain a conveyor in close proximityto the member during its movement between said locations, said conveyorbeing formed as an endless loop, the flights thereof being on theopposite sides of said baffle and having a plurality of interconnectedlinks; additional means arranged within said cabinet for engagement withchuck assemblies supported on selected ones of said links; each saidconveyor including a pair of mating elements mounted on selected ones ofsaid links; said mating elements defining therebetween a cavity adaptedto receive and grasp a said article; each of said elements being mountedfor movement relative to said selected one of the links for articleengagement and disengagement; means to effect said movement; and means,including channel means within each said chuck assembly, to fluid purgeeach said cavity during article transfer.
 7. A conveyor and chuckingarrangement according to claim 6 wherein at least some of said linksinclude laterally extending slots therein and said chuck assemblies andmating elements are guided by said laterally extending slots and each ofsaid elements further includes a portion of said cavity that responsiveto the independent movement alternatively closes upon and around oropens from about said article extended portions.
 8. A conveyor andchucking arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said slots extendthrough said selected ones of said links and said elements are affixedto said links for lateral movement with respect thereto by fasteningmeans which extend through said slots.
 9. A conveyor assembly accordingto claim 8 wherein a plurality of cams are supported from said member inpositions proximate said locations, which cams act in concert with saidfastening means to respectively close and open said mating elements. 10.A conveyor and chucking arrangement according to claim 7 wherein saidlinks and mating chuck assembly elements are composed of anon-conductive material and at least one of said elements has providedinternally thereof a conductive circuit extending from said cavity to anexteriorally exposed terminal.
 11. A conveyor assembly according toclaim 10 wherein a conductive element is included in said additionalmeans to extend said circuit thereto as the chuck assemblies engagesame.
 12. A conveyor assembly according to claim 6 wherein a channelmember is attached to one side of said baffle so as to be in closerelationship with said means for conducting fluid purging material tosaid cavities and wherein there is further included at least onepassageway extending through said baffle and said channel member tolikewise conduct fluid thereto.